#AT0KALJSTS CABINET. 



Description, manners, &c. 



to be covered with the rudiments of shells of a 

 similar substance with those which cover the 

 upper parts of the body. Even the tenderest 

 parts of the skin, on being exposed, seem to have 

 a natural tendency to ossify, or become hard: 

 but this ossification can only be complete on 

 those parts which remain exposed to the weather, 

 and are least subject to friction. 



In different kinds the shells are variously co- 

 loured, but the most common is a dirty grey> 

 This colour is owing to a peculiar circumstance 

 in their conformation, for the shell is covered 

 with a thin, sleek, transparent skin. 



The armadillo is incapable of much exertion, 

 and can therefore make but a slight resistance 

 against an enemy. The firmness of its shell 

 might, however, defend it from feeble antago- 

 nists; nature having given- it the same method 

 of defending itself as the hedgehog: when first 

 attacked, it instantly withdraws its head beneath 

 its shell, suffering nothing to be seen but the ti| 

 of the nose: on the increase of danger the ani- 

 mal cautiously tucks up its feet under its belly, 

 and unites its two extremities, while the tail 

 serves as a band to strengthen tl|e connexion ; 

 and thus it appears like a solid ball, flattened at 

 the sides, in which state it appears like an inani- 

 mate log, and might be rolled or tossed about 

 without opening: and it is even asserted, that 

 when attacked near the edge of a precipice it 

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